Obtshak

The Obtshak (Russian), Obštšak (Estonian spelling), or Ühiskassa (Estonian) or "Common treasury" is a traditional umbrella organisation of criminal groups in Estonia, a trade union of sorts which settles conflicts and establishes the boundaries of the spheres of interest of the various groups such as the Estonian mafia and Russian mafia. Between 1970–2020, the Common Fund was dominated by Nikolai Tarankov of Ukrainian or Belarusian heritage and KGB training.[1][2] However, Tarankov was found murdered in 2016, apparently in a revenge murder related to his past actions.[3][4] The Common Fund pays for lawyers of caught members, purchases and delivers packages to imprisoned members and covers other expenses.[1] The organization has about ten member groups.[4] The members have also operated significantly in Finland, where in 2009 high-level drug dealing was controlled by Estonians.[5]

In 2005, the Estonian Central Criminal Police noticed a decline in revenues of the Common Fund, leading to capture of several high-ranking members.[6] The decline has been attributed to changes in Estonian society, particularly those experienced in the lead-up to accession to European Union.